The New Designer | Aeand Studio

June 28, 2017

New Designers is officially upon us and in celebration, I’ve got my last One Year On maker spotlight feature coming your way. With a fresh website and shop just launched this morning, my final interview is with the lovely Alessandra Chambers, founder of printed surface and textile design practice, Aeand Studio.

Using an entirely hand rendered process, Aeand Studio uses various mediums within their work, utilising the traditional Swiss repeat technique to bring about screen printed surface designs and leather accessories. With a background in illustration, founder Alessandra graduated in 2013 and has since split her time between Brighton and Berlin curating pop-up galleries, exhibitions and events, as well as facilitating creative workshops. The idea for Aeand Studio was first conceived in Berlin a lack of creative jobs resulted in frustration but obviously a great idea! I was initially intrigued by the idea of imperfections within Alessandro’s work and of course had to find out a little more…

I will be exhibiting a brand new body of work, which consists of a collection of screen printed surface designs, and a small collection of screen printed leather accessories.

Where do you seek inspiration?

I take inspiration from all over, I am very much inspired by modernist art and architecture, and in awe of how relevant that work is today – so ahead of its time. Generally I find inspiration in most things around me and try to appreciate things for their shape and form.

Can you tell me about your design process?

So, every step of my process is done by hand! I create my negatives (artwork) for screen printing using various mediums such as paint, collage, oil pastels, and create my patterns using the traditional swiss repeat method. I then screen print my samples on fabric. Before I create a collection I usually form some sort of mood board, or keep a sort of visual diary of what has been inspiring me – shapes I like etc.

What makes you unique?

Having an entirely hand rendered process means that there are inherent imperfections in my work, which is completely a part of the brand identity. These are what make the work unique, and give the designs their voice. By using a very restrained colour palette, I feel as though my work is more timeless, more adaptable. It is not subject to any colour trend, but instead can go hand in hand with any colour throughout any trend.

What advice would you give to the young designers exhibiting for the first time?

Well, this is actually the first of three trade shows for Aeand Studio this year, followed by Formex and then Tent London. I couldn’t really say that i have any nuggets of wisdom just yet. The New Designers team have been so amazingly helpful and supportive, perhaps a common thread of advice is to be prepared, organised and know that you will only get as much out as you put in!

What are your plans for Aeand Studio for the coming year?

I will create another collection of surface designs, and extend my printed leather product line by one or two new designs. I hope to spread the word about the studio and gain some valued feedback on the new collection. Next year I will apply to exhibit at some more shows and trial out some new exhibitions. I would absolutely love to work on some collaborations – I dream of collaborating with a rug manufacturer to produce a collection of hand woven items.

To see more of Aeand Studio, pay a visit to New Designers 2017. Alessandra will be showcasing her work during Part One of the exhibition, taking place at the Business Design Centre, which kicks off today until 1st July. Entering its 32nd edition, the New Designers exhibition brings together design education, design consumers and the design industry to celebrate and recognise and the next generation of graduate designers.